The Role of Sleep and Sedation Dentistry for Patients with Disabilities
Patients with disabilities require special attention when undergoing dental procedures. These patients are hard to restrain and have difficulties remaining still for extended periods especially in the case of complex dental surgery. The treating dentist puts the patient in a deep state of relaxation or complete sleep by administering sedation medication or general anesthesia. Sedation and sleep dentistry provide a better dental care solution to patients with disabilities.
Patients with physical and developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Parkinson’s and those who have behavior problems require the expertise of a certified sleep dentist. Their situation demands special care and attention different from the regular dental procedures performed on non-special needs patients.
How does sedation and sleep dentistry work?
First and foremost, the treating dentist will review the needs of the patient. After identifying the needs of the patient only then a treatment plan will be prepared. As each patient’s case is different, the levels of sedation vary as well. Some patients easily doze off to a relaxed state while the others require more sedative medication before they can achieve the desired level of complete relaxation. In other cases such as patients with severe mental disabilities, it is important to put them to complete sleep.
During surgery, the sedation is administered through a combination of breathing mask and medication. Laughing gas or nitrous oxide will gradually put them in a relaxed state. Oral medication and intravenous drugs are utilized depending on the treatment plan of the patient. These are administered in graduated levels until such time complete relaxation is achieved.
In the past, these procedures are performed in the hospital where proper facilities are available. Patients nowadays can have their dental surgery right at the dentist’s clinic without the need to check in the hospital. These dentists and anesthesiologists have secured general anesthesia permits from the state and have undergone training to comply with state requirements in the administration of anesthesia.
Not all dentists are licensed to perform sedation and sleep dentistry. Do not forget to check the dentist’s qualification and experience before committing to a dental procedure.
